Dick the Butcher. [Aside] But methinks he should stand in fear of
2365fire, being burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep.

Jack Cade. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows
reformation. There shall be in England seven
halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped
pot; shall have ten hoops and I will make it felony
2370to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in
common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to
grass: and when I am king, as king I will be,—

Jack Cade. I thank you, good people: there shall be no money;
2375all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will
apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree
like brothers and worship me their lord.

Jack Cade. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable
2380thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should
be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled
o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings:
but I say, 'tis the bee's wax; for I did but seal
once to a thing, and I was never mine own man
2385since. How now! who's there?

Jack Cade. Ay, there's the question; but I say, 'tis true:
The elder of them, being put to nurse,
Was by a beggar-woman stolen away;
And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,
2450Became a bricklayer when he came to age:
His son am I; deny it, if you can.

Jack Cade. [Aside] He lies, for I invented it myself.
Go to, sirrah, tell the king from me, that, for his
father's sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys
went to span-counter for French crowns, I am content
he shall reign; but I'll be protector over him.
2465

Dick the Butcher. And furthermore, well have the Lord Say's head for
selling the dukedom of Maine.

Jack Cade. And good reason; for thereby is England mained, and
fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds
it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Say
2470hath gelded the commonwealth, and made it an eunuch:
and more than that, he can speak French; and
therefore he is a traitor.

William Stafford. Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail,
2480Assail them with the army of the king.

Sir Humphrey Stafford. Herald, away; and throughout every town
Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade;
That those which fly before the battle ends
May, even in their wives' and children's sight,
2485Be hang'd up for example at their doors:
And you that be the king's friends, follow me.

[Exeunt WILLIAM STAFFORD and SIR HUMPHREY, and soldiers]

Jack Cade. And you that love the commons, follow me.
Now show yourselves men; 'tis for liberty.
2490We will not leave one lord, one gentleman:
Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon;
For they are thrifty honest men, and such
As would, but that they dare not, take our parts.